Quick links

With some misfiring strikers holding them back, Chelsea and Tottenham are eyeing up a swoop for CSKA Moscow hitman Seydou Doumbia.

The two favourites for the Premier League title are Liverpool and Manchester City - and it's no coincidence that they are the two highest scoring teams in the league with 88 and 80 respectively, whilst Chelsea are back on 62 for the season, as goalscoring is a key reason that the Blues are now considered third favourites for the league title.

Jose Mourinho's side are coming off the back of a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last night's Champions League game, where Eden Hazard was the only real threat to the PSG defence as Andre Schurrle was pressed into a makeshift centre forward role - once again highlighting Chelsea's need for striking options.

Fernando Torres and Demba Ba have been ineffectual at best this season, and manager Mourinho has repeatedly made reference to his lack of a natural goalscorer - a far cry from his first stint at Stamford Bridge, where Didier Drogba was the figurehead of the Chelsea attack.

It now seems somewhat fitting that the Blues are eyeing up Drogba's compatriot and Ivorian international team mate Seydou Doumbia as a possible solution to their striking woes. After 68 goals in 98 games in Russia, Doumbia has earned a reputation as one of the top strikers in Europe, and his representative Malik Arutyunov admitted that there is interest from Chelsea - as well as London rivals Tottenham.

"[The interest of] Galatasaray about Seydou Doumbia? I do not know if it is genuine interest. I know that he is followed by Napoli, Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea but I cannot say any more," said Arutyunov.

Spurs are also in dire need of striking talent after the failed signing of Spaniard Roberto Soldado, whilst Emmanuel Adebayor has proven himself to be inconsistent at best. Much could depend on the potential new manager at White Hart Lane, but given the list of potential suitors for Doumbia, it seems Chelsea should be in the lead, with a £15m price tag reported earlier this week.

Olly Dawes

Olly is a Sports Management graduate and aspiring journalist, with most of his work surrounding football or NFL. He has formed two of his own sites, as well as contributing to a number of others before starting with Here Is The City.